Masing: It was my personal opinion, I didn’t consult CM or GPS colleagues

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing says he did not consult Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg or his Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS) colleagues when calling for the re-introduction of the use of passport for Sabahans and Peninsular Malaysians to enter Sarawak.

Despite that, he says he hopes his GPS colleagues agree with his view on the matter.

“I have not had the chance to seek CM’s opinion nor that of my colleagues in GPS regarding the re-introduction of the use of passport to enter Sarawak.

“However, if the use of passport or the immigration autonomy was in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, we can’t deviate from it and I’m sure my colleagues (in GPS) would agree with me.

“That ( passport reintroduction) however is my personal opinion, but I hope they ( GPS colleagues) would agree with me,” said Masing, who is also Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister.

The passport requirement for Sabahans and Peninsular Malaysians to enter Sarawak was scrapped in 1986 following the introduction of the tourismlinked Feri Malaysia programme.

Since then, travellers from the two regions only needed to have their Mykad and fill a special entry form to enter the state, where they could then stay for a period of 90 days.

Prior to Masing’s suggestion, State Reform Party (STAR) Sarawak president Lina Soo made a similar call on Dec 9.

Meanwhile, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang opted for a diplomatic response to Masing’s call, saying the matter involved Sarawak patriotism as well as national integration.

“I can say is that, YB DCM Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing has a good point (for people) to ponder and to reconsider, in as far as Sarawak interest is concerned,” said the Muara Tuang assemblyman.